Parkinson’s Awareness Month and Why It Matters
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and for many Maine families, Parkinson’s is not just something they read about — it is something they live with every day. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, and as it advances, many individuals eventually need help at home, assisted living, or nursing home care. For Maine families, this reality makes estate planning and long-term care planning especially important.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and coordination. It occurs when nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine begin to deteriorate. Dopamine is a chemical that helps control movement, so as dopamine levels decrease, people begin to experience movement problems and other symptoms.
Common symptoms of Parkinson’s include:
- Tremors (often in the hands)
- Slowed movement
- Muscle stiffness
- Balance problems
- Changes in speech
- Changes in memory and thinking in later stages
Parkinson’s progresses differently for each person, but it typically worsens over time and may eventually require daily assistance or full-time care.
Who Gets Parkinson’s? Statistics and Risk Factors
Parkinson’s is more common than many people realize, especially among older adults.
Some important statistics:
- Nearly 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease
- About 90,000 people are diagnosed each year in the United States
- The average age of diagnosis is around age 60
- Men are more likely to develop Parkinson’s than women
- The risk increases with age, which is especially important in a state like Maine, one of the oldest populations in the country
Because Maine has one of the oldest populations in the United States, diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other progressive conditions affect many Maine families and often create a need for long-term care planning.
Parkinson’s Is a Family Diagnosis
When someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it affects the entire family. Caregivers often help manage medications, transportation, finances, and eventually daily care. Local organizations such as MaineHealth, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, and Legal Services for the Elderly provide support, education, and resources for families navigating Parkinson’s and other age-related conditions.
Because Parkinson’s is progressive, legal and financial planning should happen early, while the person diagnosed can still make decisions and sign legal documents.
The Cost of Long-Term Care in Maine
One of the biggest financial risks for Maine families dealing with Parkinson’s is the cost of long-term care. Maine has some of the highest long-term care costs in the country, and many families are surprised to learn how quickly savings can be depleted.
Average long-term care costs in Maine are approximately:
- Assisted Living: about $9,000+ per month
- Nursing Home (semi-private): about $12,000+ per month
- Nursing Home (private room): about $13,000+ per month
At these costs, even a modest retirement account can be spent down quickly if proper planning is not in place.
Understanding MaineCare (Maine’s Medicaid Program)
Many Maine families eventually rely on MaineCare to help pay for nursing home care. MaineCare can cover nursing home costs, including room, meals, and medical care, for individuals who meet financial and medical eligibility requirements.
As of 2026, the general financial eligibility limits for a single applicant are approximately:
- Income under about $2,982 per month
- Assets under about $10,000
- Must require a nursing home level of care
This is why estate planning and asset protection planning are so important — families often need to plan ahead in order to qualify for MaineCare without losing everything they have worked for.
Estate Planning Documents Maine Families Should Have
For families dealing with Parkinson’s or other progressive illnesses, estate planning is not just about what happens after death — it is about who can make decisions if you cannot.
Important documents include:
- Durable Financial Power of Attorney
- Advance Health Care Directive
- HIPAA Authorization
- Last Will and Testament
- Revocable Living Trust (in some cases)
Without these documents, families may need to go to court to obtain guardianship or conservatorship in order to help manage finances or make medical decisions.
Planning Ahead Gives Families More Choices
The reality is that many people over age 65 will need some form of long-term care, and planning ahead allows Maine families to:
- Protect a spouse who is still living at home
- Preserve some assets for children
- Qualify for MaineCare when needed
- Avoid crisis decision-making
- Make sure their wishes are followed
Parkinson’s Awareness Month is a reminder that while we cannot control a diagnosis, we can control how prepared we are. Having an estate plan and long-term care plan in place can make an incredibly difficult situation much easier for the people we love.
Start With a Conversation
Parkinson’s Awareness Month is a reminder that planning ahead can make a difficult journey easier for the entire family. Having the right legal documents in place and a plan for long-term care can provide peace of mind and protect the people you love.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it may be a good time to review your estate plan, powers of attorney, and long-term care planning options. Starting the conversation early gives you more choices and more control over your future.
Call us at (207)848-5600 to schedule a consultation.
